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Do London Differently by London National Park City
Do London Differently is a podcast series hosted by London National Park City Ranger Emily Langston and produced by Michael Shilling.
Have have relaunched in 2025 with a new format - sharing how Londoners are making the city Greener, Healthier and Wilder.
Do London Differently by London National Park City
North Paddington Nature Pilgrimage - The Natural Way
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Filmed on location along the route by Michael Shilling, with Lola May (Community Climate Action Coordinator, Paddington Development Trust) and Eman Asir (Library Officer, Westminster Libraries).
What is The Natural Way? A fully accessible, six-mile circular walking route through North Paddington, inspired by the Camino de Santiago and Europe's pilgrimage trails. Walkers collect stamps designed by local children at stops along the way, visiting libraries, community centres, gardens and places of worship across Westbourne, Queen's Park and Harrow Road.
In this episode, Lola and Eman walk the route and discuss:
- How the Camino de Santiago inspired a walking trail through one of London's most deprived neighbourhoods
- The Europe Challenge and how libraries and community groups are collaborating across Europe
- Why local young people didn't know the Grand Union Canal was on their doorstep
- Meanwhile Gardens: frogs, frogspawn and the first skateboard bowl in London
- Gerry's Pompeii: a secret sculpture garden 30 years in the making
- Swift nesting boxes on the Amberley Estate and what swifts symbolise about migration and belonging
- Wildflower meadows, bat forests and the biodiversity growing out of the concrete
- The Nature of Things salon nights at Mason & Fifth hotel
- Why "starting to notice" is the most important skill the walk teaches
- The right to joy: reclaiming a neighbourhood's story through walking
Libraries on the route (maps and stamps available): Paddington Children's Library | Paddington Library (reopening soon) | Maida Vale Library | Queen's Park Library
Key stops mentioned: Grand Junction (Grade I listed church and community centre) | Grand Union Canal towpath | Meanwhile Gardens | Gerry's Pompeii sculpture garden | Beethoven Centre | Queen's Park | Urban Wise (urban study centre)
Digital route: Available on the Go Jauntly app
Upcoming events: Guided walks, bat walk and planting session, bird song walks, trip to the urban beaver sanctuary. Check Eventbrite and Instagram for dates.
The Natural Way is a project of: Paddington Development Trust and Westminster Libraries, supported by The Europe Challenge (Arts Council and European Cultural Foundation).
Links:
- The Europe Challenge project page: theeuropechallenge.eu/north-paddington-nature-pilgrimage
- Go Jauntly: North Paddington Nature Pilgrimage
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